Friendsgiving

This was our second Thanksgiving in Florida (I can’t believe we have been here a year, either), but our first time hosting Thanksgiving. Last year, we didn’t know ANYONE here, so we went to our friends house in Orlando.

This year, we have friends

If you remember from my earlier post, I was making the Turkey, Dressing/Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce, Potatoes, and Devil eggs. No pressure!

I started the Turkey at 1PM.

Meet Mr. Gobbles!

I realized the turkey was only 12lbs instead of 18lbs. Huck was worried we would not have enough food, so he ran out to get a ham. I suggested a small ham. Huck comes home with a 10lb ham. “It was cheaper than the smaller ones per pound!”

We planned to have dinner at 6PM. I cooked through out the day. I would prep something and watch TV, peel the potatoes, and clean. I didn’t feel like I spent hours in the kitchen or feel stressed because something wasn’t going to be done on time.

Everyone arrived around 530PM. We placed all the food on the counter and I looked at the clock. 6:01! I couldn’t have planned that any better

Our dinner spread.

Mr. Gobbles, or what was left of him. Don’t you love my serving tray?

Suzanne made sweet potato casserole. This stuff was awesome. It was my dessert!

Holly brought Homemade Potato Pierogies.

Mashed Potatoes. My Mother-in-Laws recipe. The secret ingredient… Cream Cheese

My Nanny Mathis’ Dressing.

Suzanne’s Corn Casserole. She also brought Green Bean Casserole.

Gravy made with the pan drippings.

And Cranberry Sauce. None of that canned stuff here.

I had to try everything. The Potato Pierogies were really good. I didn’t even touch my mashed potatoes. I figured one potato dish was enough.

Oh, I even had time to decorate before everyone arrived. Huck brought home flowers from the store, and I used some of the leaves and leftover cranberries for centerpieces.

I just added a tea light to each one. Thanks Pinterest!!

Matt brought Apple Pie, Cheese Cake, and Ice Cream,  Holly brought Popcorn and Cookies, and Carl brought beer. I didn’t touch any of it. I wasn’t too full, but knew if I had anymore, I wouldn’t feel good. I did have some apple pie and a cookie today! They were yummy!!

Apricot and Honey Glazed Ham

Serving for 10-15lb Ham

• 1 Fully Cooked Ham
• 1/2 Cup Apricot Jelly (I used No Sugar added)
• 1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
• 1/4 Cup Honey

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.Place ham on cooking dish and cook for 15 minutes per pound. Mix together apricot, sugar, and honey. In the last 30 minutes of cooking, brush the ham with the apricot glaze. Bake for 15 more minutes and brush with more glaze. Serve Ham hot or cold.

 

I think the ham was my favorite part. I left the extra pieces of sliced ham, in the pan juices, and warmed up some for lunch. SO GOOD!!

Mr. Gobble’s Spicy Rub

• 10-15 lb Turkey
• 1/3 Cup Butter
• 1 Tbsp Ground Jalapeno Powder
• 1 Tbsp Ground Red Pepper Powder
• Salt and Pepper to Taste
• 2 Stacks Celery
• 2 Large Carrots
• 1/2 Red Onion
• 2 Bay Leaves
• 1 Orange
• 1 Can of Light Beer

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Remove organs from inside of turkey. Place turkey on a roasting rack. Combined Butter, jalapeno, red pepper, salt and pepper together. Stuff the inside of the turkey with celery, carrots, onions, bay leaves, and orange. Using kitchen string, tie legs together so the bird cooks evenly. Rub your turkey with butter mixture. I rubbed the some of the mixture under the skin, too. Pour beer over turkey.

Bake at 325, for recommend amount of time, for the size of your turkey. I cooked mine for 3 hours and 45 minutes. Every 30-45 minutes, baste turkey with pan juices. You can cover with aluminum foil if the skin begins to burn. Allow to rest for 20 minutes before slicing.

My cheap roasting pan. Dollar store pan and wire racks. I placed some of the carrots and celery under the pan to elevated it off the bottom.

How can this be unhealthy?!

I was going to add the recipe for my Nannies dressing, but there really isn’t one. You just add stuff until it looks and feels right. That is what I did anyways. It was good, but not as good as my hers.

How are your Thanksgiving?

I missed my family. I can’t wait to see them next month!